Road Signs

asked the Secretary of State for Wales by what means he informed the local authorities in Wales of his decision concerning the provision of bilingual traffic signs in Wales; whether his decision will be binding on all levels of local authorities; and whether local authorities in Wales can choose the priority of language on bilingual signs on roads which are not under the direct administration of his Department.

As I indicated in my answer of 10th June to my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdare (Mr. Evans)—[Vol. 874, c.489.]—a guidance circular will be issued in due course to local authorities. The regulations which will eventually be published will prescribe the signs covered by my decision and retain the discretion at present contained in the Traffic Signs (Amendment) Regulations 1970, where the order of languages is a matter for highway authorities to decide.